The U.S. Surgeon General this month sent out a rare call to action called “Step It Up,” encouraging more Americans to walk and build paths that make walking more safe and accessible.

Kane County is way ahead of the game on a number of levels, including its abundance of outstanding public walking paths and programs that encourage people to get out there and exercise. One of the most-recent programs is a walking group for moms, which was launched in Aurora in July and has now expanded to Elgin. Now, every other week, you’ll see new mothers pushing their babies in strollers in area parks and having a great time doing it.

The Health Department’s Nurse-Family Partnership/Kane Kares nurses started the Walking Group program as a way to support active lifestyles while also helping the moms socialize. Not only do they get to participate in some good old-fashioned exercise, but they are able to take the opportunity to mingle with their peers, many of whom have never met each other.

“We started on July 20 with a group in Aurora, meeting at Phillips Park. We expanded in August and added a group in Elgin, meeting at Lords Park. We meet twice a month at each location, Mondays in Aurora and Wednesdays in Elgin. We feel that we have had a successful start and very positive feedback from our clients that have attended,” said Diane Ferriss, RN, BSN, clinical nurse supervisor with the Nurse-Family Partnership/Kane Kares Program.

In addition to Ferriss, public health nurses who serve as home visitors are Teresa Reyna, Cindy Fosen, Kristy Brown and Lisa Bloom.

Kane Kares is a program designed to help support moms and moms-to-be during pregnancy and early childhood. A specially-trained registered nurse visits the home and supports the family through the pregnancy up until the child’s second birthday.

Participation in the walking group is purely voluntary. For example, some moms are working or are in school and cannot meet the 10 a.m. start time.

“If they want to walk one time, that’s OK,” Diane said. However, the popularity of the physical activity and social aspects of the group is catching on, as brothers, sisters, fathers, and other family members have come out to join the fun.

More information about Nurse-Family Partnership/Kane Kares is available on the Health Department’s website here.